France's Rolland to replace Oswald as rowing chief

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Jean-Christophe Rolland of France has been elected president of the International Rowing Federation.

Beginning in July, he will succeed Switzerland's Denis Oswald, who is stepping down after 24 years but has been made the federation's honorary president for life.

Rolland received 117 of the 179 votes cast by member federations, defeating John Boultbee of Australia and Tricia Smith of Canada.

Rolland competed in three Olympics, winning a gold medal in Sydney in 2000 and a bronze in Atlanta four years earlier. He served on the federation's executive committee from 2004 to 2011 before being appointed a member of the governing body's council.

In another matter, it was announced the rowing world championships will be held in Sarasota, Fla., in 2017 and in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2018.